Staff / Times-PicayuneThe LSU Tigers will have an early kickoff Saturday.

The approach of Hurricane Gustav has prompted Louisiana State University to move up the kickoff for tomorrow's season-opening football game against Appalachian State to 10 a.m., a university spokesman said Friday.

"Public safety concerns override game-day concerns," said Charles Zewe, chief spokesman for the LSU System, adding that the decision was made after consultation with the governor's office and state officials who are coordinating the state's response.

The season-opening game featuring the 2007 BCS national champions had been scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff. As early as Wednesday, state police had begun agitating for an earlier kickoff, citing potential manpower shortages for troopers forced to offer security at Tiger Stadium while simultaneously preparing for a mass evacuation.

Zewe said all pre-game festivities have been canceled, in part because the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, which sits across from Tiger Stadium on the LSU campus, is being prepared for use as a possible evacuation site.

ESPN Classic will televise the game, it was announced by the Southeastern Conference office on Friday. The game will also be available on ESPN's online platform, ESPN360.